A second soldier has been killed in Afghanistan this week the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment was killed during an operation to disrupt insurgent activity in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province. His family has been told.

The death was announced after the MoD named a soldier killed in a grenade blast on Wednesday as Lance Corporal James Ashworth from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Extraordinary courage: Lance Corporal James Ashworth from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guard, who was killed while 'leading his team from the front'

The two deaths this week bring the total killed in Afghanistan since operations began in October 2001, to 419 among UK forces.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Ian Lawrence said, following the second death: 'It is with deep sorrow that I must confirm that a soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment has been killed by enemy action whilst deployed on operations in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province.

'The thoughts of all within Task Force Helmand are with his family and friends at this difficult time.'

The death comes just just two days after Lance Corporal James Ashworth was killed in a grenade blast while on patrol in the north of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand Province on Wednesday. He died despite receiving immediate medical treatment.

The family of the 23-year-old from Kettering, Northamptonshire, said: 'We are devastated by the loss of our son, brother, uncle and boyfriend.

'He meant the world to everyone and has left an irreplaceable hole in our hearts. We ask that we are given time to grieve and we sincerely thank everyone for their condolences.'

'L/Cpl Ashworth was killed while fighting his way through compounds, leading his fire team from the front, whilst trying to protect his men and he showed extraordinary courage to close on a determined enemy.

The two soldiers killed this week brings the total number of deaths in Afghanistan to 419 among UK service personnel

'His professionalism under pressure and ability to remain calm in what was a chaotic situation is testament to his character.

'L/Cpl Ashworth was a pleasure to command and I will sorely miss his calming influence on the battlefield. Softly spoken, he stepped up to every task thrown in his direction.'

He said the platoon had lost a 'strong commander, outstanding soldier and dear friend'.

L/Cpl Ashworth joined the Army at the age of 17 and completed a stint of ceremonial duty in London after joining Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards. He spent three years with the Guards’ Parachute Platoon, part of 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, deploying in Afghanistan with them.

He returned to the Grenadiers, serving in Canada with The Queen’s Company before moving to the Reconnaissance Platoon.

L/Cpl Ashworth had recently been promoted to the role of non commissioned officer.

Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, which is close to Nad-e Ali district, where the second soldier this week was killed

'A real self-starter, he excelled in everything that he undertook. Fit, strong and brilliant at his job, he set the bar very high.

'Indeed, such was his calmness under pressure, his charisma, and his selflessness that he made an exemplary junior leader.'

He said the regiment would 'never forget this quite exceptional man'.

L/Cpl Ashoworth played for his battalion’s football team, most recently during a French military tour, as well as a local team when at home.

Colour Sergeant Andy Austin, Second in Command of Reconnaissance Platoon, Nijmegen Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, said: 'His great love of the beautiful game was shared by myself and others in the platoon.

'After every match day in the Premier League we would discuss the day’s events with great interest, especially the fortunes of his beloved Tottenham Hotspur - these conversations I will miss terribly.

'This was a man destined for great things in the Army and whose potential I watched flourish in the platoon.'